Goleta Union School District Instructional Services Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program Narrative Application, 2008-2009
Section One: Program Design The district provides a comprehensive continuum of services and program options responsive to the needs, interests, and abilities of gifted students based on philosophical, theoretical, and empirical support. The primary goal of the GATE Program is to offer enriched and accelerated learning opportunities to meet the needs and talents of academically gifted pupils. Meeting this goal requires an underlying philosophy that supports differentiated instruction to meet each student’s readiness level, interests, and learning style. The academic component of GATE rests upon district standards for student achievement in language arts, mathematics, science and social science. District standards extend and amplify state standards for each of these content areas through three specially designed instructional units for GATE students in language arts, mathematics and science, and history and social science. Under the supervision of the Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services, the GATE Program encourages differentiated instruction, compacted curriculum, and flexible groups for instruction. Program coordination is maintained through bi-monthly meetings of the Assistant Superintendent and GATE staff, monthly meetings with school principals, and with classroom teachers during district-wide grade level meetings. The plan’s foundation rests upon the expert knowledge gained through professional development programs sponsored by the Tri-County GATE Council and the California Association for the Gifted (CAG). This training includes workshops by Jann Leppien, Barbara Clark, Judy Galbraith, Jim Webb, and the CAG Summer Teacher Institute in Santa Barbara. To assure widespread distribution of this knowledge, district teachers at all grade levels participate in GATE-related professional development. For example, even though part-time GATE groupings target children in grades 4 through 6, primary teachers were included in district training on differentiated instruction provided by Carol Ann Tomlinson, Sandra Page, and other consultants from the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD). Primary teachers are also included in site-based professional development, such as video training by the ASCD on differentiated instruction, led by Carol Ann Tomlinson. GATE instruction is provided through differentiated teaching strategies in the regular classroom, flexible grouping, and an option to supplement differentiated classroom instruction with part-time groupings outside the regular classroom during the school day. As an example, a gifted student in science and mathematics may work on a model city project with the GATE consultant teacher and local architects. Meanwhile, based upon classroom assessment, the same child may receive language arts instruction in the regular classroom within a group of students working on grade level. In order to facilitate time for this child to work on the model city project, the classroom teacher would compact the mathematics curriculum based upon assessment results. Whenever appropriate, choice is offered to students in their work projects. In one case, the teacher allowed students to choose between writing a biography of a famous playwright, developing a play related to one of the playwright’s story themes, or creating a stage design for a scene from one of the playwright’s plays.
1
Section One: Program Design Page 2 As another example, advanced readers in the primary grades are permitted to enrich their language arts time through reading lessons based upon books included on a list of district-approved core literature titles. Students displaying strong math skills are flexibly grouped to permit accelerated instruction with other students whose achievement is above grade level standards. During the pupil placement process, cluster grouping also is employed to maximize opportunities for GATE children to interact with other students of similar skill levels within the regular classroom. While the program design focuses upon academic enrichment and acceleration in academic content areas, multiple opportunities are provided to address the child who displays creativity, leadership, or artistic talents. For example, the unit on science features an aviation unit for sixth graders in which students are asked to invent an aircraft from a limited set of materials. At another school, the students invent new items and display them at an evening invention fair for parents. Students in a third school invented new games, complete with game boards, playing pieces, and complete sets of game rules. Leadership abilities are nurtured for GATE students through the service learning projects held at many district schools, peer tutoring programs, Big Buddy pairings of upper grade students with primary children, and student council. Other opportunities for the creatively talented child are offered through grade level plays, studentauthored skits, and development of student GATE newspapers. Classroom teachers and districtemployed visual arts teaching specialists lead students in the production of art projects displayed at Open Houses, in the district office boardroom, and at the Goleta Student Art Fair and Exposition held each May at the Goleta Public Library. In addition, each district school receives services from a credentialed school psychologist. The psychologists maintain a schedule to permit counseling of individual students or small groups of children—as in a friendship group—to help meet the affective needs of all children. Class meetings to discuss the personal development of students are commonplace as a result of district training in the Responsive Classroom, and character education is conducted through the Character Counts Program. In order to provide this depth of program, release time is allocated to allow classroom teachers, GATE consultants, and principals at each school to meet and coordinate an enriching and accelerated instructional program for GATE students. The schedule is designed to link GATE content to classroom curriculum, minimize fragmentation, facilitate use of available space for pull-out instruction, and to assure access for GATE students to the school library and computer lab. Principals are expected to monitor this process, and to approve the schedule and content for their site’s GATE program. The district-wide GATE Parent Advisory Committee provides critical guidance and support to the GATE program. This committee consists of parent representatives from each of the district’s nine schools as well as principals, GATE teachers, and the Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services. The committee meets five to six times per year. Committee responsibilities include routine advising of the district program, conducting the annual surveys of GATE parents, students, teachers, and principals, and development of the district GATE Plan for presentation to the Board of Trustees. The Assistant Superintendent facilitates meetings of the GATE Parent Advisory Committee.
2
Section One: Program Design Page 3 Community involvement is instrumental for planning special programs. For example, the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport is central to our Young Aviators Program, and UC Santa Barbara collaboratively plans field trips to the Marine Sciences Institute and in-service for teachers on science content to support challenging instruction of science standards. In addition, parent volunteers are encouraged in the GATE classroom. Finally, the GATE program benefits from open communication with GATE coordinators from the high school district. Summer GATE Institutes at Goleta Valley Junior High School and articulation meetings between grade 6 staff, junior high teachers, and principals are two results of this collaboration. The GATE Plan and Program Budget are reviewed, revised, and approved annually by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees. The plan is made available to school principals, GATE teachers, and members of the GATE Parent Advisory Committee. In addition, the plan is updated and posted on the district web page. A letter describing the GATE Program is provided to all parents each September. The letter advises them of opportunities offered by GATE and informs them of changes currently being implemented. Ongoing communication with parents is achieved through newsletters distributed at the opening of each instructional unit, evening GATE parent meetings at each school site, student work exhibitions, and written narrative evaluations of each participating child’s finished work. In summary, the GATE Program builds upon district standards in language arts, mathematics and science, and history and social science. Regular meetings between GATE consulting teachers and classroom teachers assure the linkage between classroom program and the enrichment and acceleration of the GATE Program. Parents are well-informed, either through night GATE parent meetings, newsletters at the beginning and mid-way through each unit, evaluation of student work, GATE Parent Advisory Meetings, school newsletters, report cards, exhibitions of student work, and special activities. The involvement of community agencies, such as the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport and UC Santa Barbara, powerfully augments the program. Improvement Goal: Program Design Additional time is needed for GATE teachers to collaborate with classroom teachers. Added time to coordinate program goals will assure that GATE students have an integrated learning experience, and avoid fragmentation between classroom instruction and GATE activities. Discussion with the Board of Trustees is needed to determine whether funds can be made available to compensate GATE teachers for increased collaborative time with teachers and principals.
3
Section Two: Identification The district’s identification procedures are equitable, comprehensive, and ongoing. They reflect the district’s definition of giftedness and its relationship to current state criteria. GATE students may be identified at any grade level, K-6. Participation in part-time groupings with the GATE consulting teacher will take place in grades 4 through 6. Records of student referrals to GATE will be maintained within the GATE folder in student cumulative records. Students may be considered for GATE eligibility each year that they are enrolled in the district. A school committee composed of the principal, school psychologist, classroom teacher, and one faculty representative conducts the GATE identification process. The committee determines whether a child should be GATE eligible based upon multiple standard and nonstandard evidence. Specific criteria used to identify GATE eligible students include: Achievement Indicators: ✓Boehm Test: • A percentile rank score of 97 or higher on the BOEHM test for students in kindergarten and grade 1. ✓California Standards Test (CST): Grade 4-6 The student attained a scale score of 450 or higher on either the English-Language Arts or Mathematics section of the CST for Grade 3, 4, or 5. Ability Indicators: Otis-Lennon School Abilities Test (OLSAT): The student scores at or above the 97th percentile rank on one of the three age-percentile ranks (verbal, non-verbal, total) of the Grade 3 OLSAT.
4
Section Two: Identification Page 2 Teacher, Principal, and Parent Referrals: Referrals from teachers, principals, and parents or guardians may be considered if the student meets the following minimum criteria: A. OLSAT: The student scores at the 95th age-percentile rank or higher in one of the three areas of the grade-level appropriate OLSAT. Alternate Criteria: Students who do not meet standardized test criteria may be considered for GATE participation under any of the following circumstances: A. Students with Special Needs: Individual assessment results will be considered for students with a mitigating IEP, Intervention Plan, or 504 Plan. B. English Learners: Students identified as English Learners or Fluent-English Proficient may be considered for GATE based upon classroom performance and the rate of acquiring English-Language proficiency. English Learners may be identified using scores from the California English Language Development Test (CELDT). English Learners with CELDT scores demonstrating improvement beyond the expectations of District Benchmarks for English Language Development are potential candidates for GATE eligibility. Additional traits, such as leadership skills or unusual skill in areas not requiring language skills, also may be used in identification of giftedness among students with special needs or English Learners. Junior High GATE GATE eligibility at the junior high level is determined by the Santa Barbara School Districts. Because junior high schools are part of this separate district, GATE eligibility criteria are different. Information regarding GATE eligibility may be obtained either by accessing that district’s web page or calling the secondary GATE office at 805-730-7775.
5
Section Two: Identification Page 3 New Students, Grades 4-6: Students who newly enroll in the district in Grades 4, 5, or 6 will be offered the opportunity to take the OLSAT for their grade level. New students will qualify for GATE with standardized test scores in at least one of the following areas: A. OLSAT: A score at or above the 97th percentile rank in one of the age-percentile ranks for the appropriate grade level of the OLSAT. OR B. California Standards Test (CST): Grade 4-6 The student attained a scale score of 450 or higher on either the English-Language Arts or Mathematics section of the CST for Grades 3, 4, or 5. GATE eligibility in a previous district may also serve as the basis for placing a new student in GATE in our district. These identification tools provide access to GATE for every qualified child in the district. If a GATE student transfers to Goleta from another school district, the student’s records are promptly reviewed to make a timely decision concerning the child’s status in our district. The committee meets each fall once STAR scores are received, and again in the spring after OLSAT results arrive. Individual letters are sent to parents following committee review. The letters explain whether a child qualified, how a child’s status was determined, the program purpose and content, the options with respect to program participation, and the process for parent referral and appeal. This correspondence is conducted through the student’s weekly homework folder or by U.S. Mail. Additional forms are maintained in the school office. A signed parent consent form is required before GATE identification is complete. These records are kept in the student’s GATE folder in the cumulative file, expediting transfer of this information should the child change schools or leave the district. Each fall, parents receive a district letter to inform them about the GATE Program. Every school conducts parent education meetings in the fall to permit direct communication about the program. Parents may access further information about GATE through the district web site, the School Plan, or during parent-teacher conferences in November.
6
Section Two: Identification Page 4 New Students, Grades 4-6: (continued) GATE participation is voluntary; parents and students are permitted to withdraw from the GATE Program. If this issue arises, a meeting is requested between parent, classroom teacher, and GATE consultant. If broader consultation is desired, the school psychologist and principal may be contacted. If program withdrawal is the outcome, GATE eligibility is maintained for future participation. This review permits thorough analysis of the child’s needs, and provides the best way to address them. The referral form includes a checklist of the characteristics of gifted children developed from research studies and recommendations of the National Association for Gifted Children. Student work products that display exceptional insight or depth also are important considerations for parent and teacher referrals. Referral forms are available upon request and are part of the GATE link to the district web site. GATE program descriptions are provided in each school’s parent handbook as well as in the Single Plan for School Improvement. Teachers and administrators are provided support to assist identification of giftedness among underrepresented populations. Identification criteria and the importance of considering all students for GATE will be disseminated through meetings of district principals, site level staff meetings, and informational bulletins. Whenever appropriate, GATE identification will be included in district inservice sessions. Written descriptions of the referral process will be included within the principals’ GATE Program Packet, distributed in the fall of each school year. GATE criteria are reviewed annually to assure that identification procedures are current and effective. For example, criteria were revised to be more inclusive after reading a research article distributed by the Tri-County GATE Council (“Three Ways to Achieve a More Equitable Representation of Culturally and Linguistically Different Students in GT Programs”). In addition, the fairness of district GATE criteria are analyzed through a demographic review to determine whether access is being maintained for students by gender, ethnicity, special needs and language proficiency. The needs of language minority students are addressed by a district faculty that is either credentialed to provide English Language Development or is in training by signed agreement to complete the requirements to obtain such qualifications. Improvement Goal: Identification Principals, teachers, and parents need to work together to carefully consider GATE eligibility for lowincome students and English Learners. These two student subgroups are underrepresented among the demographic composition of GATE-identified students.
7
Section Three: Curriculum and Instruction The district develops a differentiated curriculum, instructional modes and strategies that are aligned with and extend the state academic content standards and curriculum frameworks. The differentiated curriculum is related to theories, models, and practices from the recognized literature in the field. Classroom teachers differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all learners. Differentiation, as defined in district in-services and state-adopted instructional materials, involves adapting instructional strategies to meet each child’s readiness level, interests, and learning style. Through differentiated instruction, balance is maintained in developing research skills, creative thinking, problem solving, and authentic work products. As an example, grade 6 students working on an aviation unit might complete a workbook of aviation principles, maintain a journal of class activities, work in teams to build a balsa wood aircraft, and write a short report on some aspect of aviation or the accomplishments of a famous aviator. As a culminating event, the students are invited to fly a small airplane with a pilot from the Experimental Aircraft Association. Other opportunities for differentiation are provided in mathematics, in which students are flexibly grouped based upon assessed need. Advanced students are taught accelerated content. For example, some schools use volunteers such as university physics professors or engineers to teach mathematics to small groups of students. These children in turn may be eligible for other challenging activities, such as the countywide Math Super Bowl. Advanced writers may write novels for a Student Author Fair during language arts time. Avid readers are invited to participate in the Battle of the Books or to meet professional authors at the Author Go Round. Children interested in science are encouraged to take advantage of UC Santa Barbara’s “Science Line,” providing direct connection via the Internet between students and UCSB researchers. These are just a few of the ways in which differentiation is used to individualize and encourage the academic interests of GATE students as well as other advanced learners. The district relies upon its content standards and state-approved materials to address the needs for GATE students. Content standards are for all students, and they point the way to an instructional path beyond grade level for the child who rapidly demonstrates mastery of the abstract and concrete goals for his/her grade level. The math and language arts textbooks are approved by the State Board of Education precisely for their ability to provide universal access to all learners. Teachers receive inservice before and during the school year to assure that they are aware of the components available for the advanced learner and GATE eligible child in language arts and math. Instruction for GATE students is provided during the school day in a variety of settings and formats. As mentioned previously, schools cluster GATE students during the student placement process. This practice enables teachers to reduce the range of learning need within a differentiated classroom while providing GATE students the opportunity to share learning experiences with other students of similar readiness levels and interests. Teachers will often teach a broad lesson or concept to the entire class, then use flexible grouping to differentiate the learning process or product according to student need. In cases in which the range of student need is great, team teaching is arranged, with students changing classrooms for specified periods of the day. This strategy is frequently employed during mathematics, for example. GATE students at some schools receive accelerated or enriched math instruction in a homogeneous skill group several times a week through team teaching. Several schools use this time to prepare highly accelerated students for countywide mathematics competitions.
8
Section Three: Curriculum and Instruction Page 2 The GATE consultant may, at the school’s option, support the classroom teacher by offering additional enrichment and instruction to GATE students. GATE students in grades 4 through 6 are grouped part-time during the school day to receive enrichment classes with the school’s GATE consulting teacher. These groupings facilitate use of a number of small group instructional strategies. Experiments using the scientific method and team problem solving are two of the strategies that GATE teachers employ. For example, student teams may be given a limited set of recycled materials, and as part of a unit on space exploration, be asked to design a well-cushioned landing craft (consisting of a filled water balloon), which will not burst upon impact when dropped from an elevated height. Research reports, such as the biographies of famous aviators, provide opportunities for independent learning. Intellectual peer interaction is also a key feature of part-time GATE groupings. Part-time grouping of GATE students takes place in the school library or computer lab. This use of facilities permits access to a wide range of learning resources. The use of a computerized card catalog, reference books, and Internet are central components of the learning resources that are available. Educational videos and CD ROMs (such as Sim City for architectural design) are used also. Students may create PowerPoint demonstrations or use Photo Shop to visually augment their work. Finally, tools such as UCSB’s Science Line enable students to communicate directly with researchers via e-mail, while opportunities for primary source learning are offered through activities such as the Author Go Round, in which students meet and interview published authors of children’s literature. In an effort to allow for greater depth, complexity, and enrichment, the 2008-2009 GATE budget requests funding to add time to part-time groupings for GATE students, professional development, collaboration, and instructional materials. The workload for GATE students is made possible through a compacted curriculum. Classroom teachers assess student learning needs through textbook or teacher-made tests and classroom observation. If a GATE student demonstrates concept or skill mastery, acceleration or enrichment activities such as those described above may be implemented. Within these part-time groupings, a number of materials and activities, such as the aviation unit or the invention fair, can be conducted for students showing the readiness level and skill enabling participation. Teachers may determine that gifted children have exceeded grade level standards in a number of ways. State-approved textbooks—such as Glencoe’s California Mathematics—provide leveled assessments which permit students to show degrees of content mastery. District-wide grade level meetings help establish appropriate pacing of instruction to meet differentiated needs of students. At the school level, staffs select priority learning objectives from district standards. GATE students may attain these goals faster than other children, enabling them to study a standard in greater depth or accelerate to standards for a higher-grade level. Exceeding standards may be determined also through the use of the district’s standards-based report cards or evaluative tools such as the District Writing Rubric. The standards-based report card uses numerical performance measures to evaluate student progress relative to district content standards. A mark of “4” is defined as exceeding grade level standards for that grading period. Portfolios, classroom assessment, and student projects provide the basis for making this assessment. Teachers discuss student grading during regular grade level meetings. The District Writing Rubrics connect to the standards and provide a reference for teachers to identify writing that exceeds expectations. For example, a second grade student exceeds expectations for organization if his writing, “Has a catchy lead and effective ending, a logical sequence of events that make it easy to follow, a unique title, and 9
Section Three: Curriculum and Instruction Page 3 detailed descriptions of setting, characters, objects, and events.” The use of instructional tools such as the rubric and the report card help GATE students understand the attributes of high quality schoolwork. Finally, schools report the year-end achievement of district standards through a local assessment of skill attainment, the Report Card Grade Summary. The outcomes may be used to measure the degree to which GATE students have exceeded grade-level expectations. School Site Councils, principals, teachers, and the Board of Trustees use these results to plan instruction that meets student needs the following year. In addition to academic content, students in the Goleta Union School District are provided a number of activities that develop ethical standards and positive self-concept. The Character Counts Program is taught to all students to establish awareness of the “Six Pillars of Character.” Morning meetings, a strategy learned through Responsive Classroom training, are held to build a sense of community within classrooms. Biographies, from famous aviators to presidents, are studied to help children appreciate the character traits of successful people. Many schools offer students opportunities for service learning, such as peer tutors for children with special needs within the special education program. Finally, participation in the GATE program itself, with its part-time groupings and extended assignments to enrich or accelerate instruction, requires students to self-regulate and plan their studies. The unifying theme of each of the activities and strategies described above is the enrichment and extension of district content standards for GATE students. The content areas of language arts, mathematics and science, and history and social science provide the scope and sequence and the core of GATE instructional units. The curriculum the GATE teacher employs is developed in tight collaboration with the classroom teachers; principals provide overall supervision to approve sitebased GATE activities. The focus is upon extension of district standards taught in the classroom, with the goal of expanding learning options in the regular classroom and during the part-time grouping for GATE. Improvement Goal: Curriculum and Instruction More time is needed to implement the GATE program effectively. Increased time could benefit collaborative planning, professional development, and instruction. In addition, more supplemental instructional materials could benefit the GATE program. An increase in general fund support for GATE would enable the district to meet needs for collaboration, staff training, materials, and instruction. The goal is therefore to explore the possibility of an increased general fund contribution to GATE. The current district contribution is about $13,000. It will be requested to add $30,000 from the general fund to this amount.
10
Section Four: Social and Emotional Development Districts establish and implement plans to support the social and emotional development of gifted learners to increase responsibility, self-awareness, and other issues of affective development. The district employs a team approach between home and school to address the diverse social and emotional needs of every student, including gifted students. School personnel receive training to maintain current knowledge of effective practice for the emotional development of GATE students. Two examples of past in-service include sessions with Rick Lavoie, a well-known social worker, who trained staff members in such critical areas as strategies to enhance peer acceptance, understanding anxiety disorders, and motivational techniques. Kevin Feldman provided staff members with training in Peer Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS), a program that improves the self-esteem of gifted students as they learn to help others. Teachers and other staff are provided a district checklist of gifted student characteristics and behaviors, including cognitive and affective indicators. Parents are involved in these updates as well. The Tri-County GATE Council serves as a primary informational resource through the distribution of articles for parents relevant to the special needs of GATE students (“Tips for Selecting the Right Counselor or Therapist for Your Gifted Child,” for example). UC Santa Barbara provides support to enrich the social and emotional development of GATE children. One of our schools has even been “adopted” by UCSB, providing a range of activities, from lectures by university professors to physical education lessons from college athletes. This program provides a window to the opportunities which await students who maximize their potential in school. The role modeling of the university is further advanced through the number of our schools that serve as training sites for the teacher education program. Many of our children benefit from direct contact with university students who are themselves studying to become teachers. Classroom lessons by the UC Physics Club give hands-on demonstrations to stimulate interest in science education. Artistically talented children are inspired and engaged through the UC Arts Bridge Program, which brings graduate art students and professionals into the classroom to work with children. Finally, UC programs such as ENLACE provide tutoring and family education to Latino students. The direct role modeling and assistance is invaluable to Latino GATE students, an underrepresented minority group among our GATE population. The affective development of students is given explicit instruction through the district-wide implementation of the Character Counts Program. In-service is provided by teachers who have used this program in other districts. Character Counts focuses attention upon six character pillars, such as trustworthiness, responsibility, and fairness. Through the structured lessons, GATE children are given direct instruction and critical thinking activities as they work through practical ethical dilemmas in conformity with the principles of the Character Counts Program. Additional support is offered to all students through Responsive Classroom’s strategy of morning meetings. Held daily, these meetings offer students the chance to build a sense of community through structured games and language development activities. GATE students clearly benefit from the inclusive environment developed through morning meetings. If a GATE child shows signs of chronic social or emotional distress, classroom teachers have access to the services of credentialed school psychologists at each site. In addition, the district employs community liaisons at each school to coordinate services from external agencies and provide help for families. If the resources of the school need to be augmented, community service agencies are contacted, such as Child Abuse Listening and Mediation (CALM). Ongoing services are coordinated through weekly meetings of each school’s Student Study Team, consisting of teacher, school psychologist, principal, and other support personnel. Private counselors and therapists employed by the families of individual students also are consulted as appropriate. All of these services are available to every student in our district. 11
Section Four: Social and Emotional Development Page 2 GATE teachers contact the parents of any GATE child showing signs of social or emotional difficulty. Conferences are arranged, and needed support is arranged. No child loses GATE identification because of affective needs. At the start of each school year, principals and support staff train faculty members in the use of a referral form listing characteristics of students experiencing emotional difficulties. The particular difficulties of gifted children, such as underachievement or social isolation, are included among these characteristics. Teachers learn to complete these forms as part of a referral process for children who display a number of these traits. Special Education personnel additionally acquaint teachers and principals with school counseling services and external agencies which are available to assist children in need. To coordinate classroom program with part-time groupings, classroom teachers meet with GATE instructors each fall to share insight regarding learning styles, interests, and readiness levels of GATE students. Once the school year is underway, the Student Study Team (SST) meets weekly to discuss these case histories and to organize strategy and plans to address the needs of referred students. The SST develops interventions such as work or behavioral contracts, individual counseling (with parental consent), group counseling (as in friendship groups), classroom meetings, or parent conferences as primary steps to address student needs. The strategies proposed by the SST become part of the student’s intervention plan. The intervention plan includes periodic dates for the team to review the plan’s effectiveness and to facilitate coordination of services. Copies of the intervention plan are distributed to the personnel in contact with the student, and the SST coordinator maintains records of the meeting and schedules future meeting dates. Parents are informed of SST meetings, and parental consent is obtained whenever it is required for plan implementation. Communication with parents is maintained through regularly scheduled parent-teacher conferences. Phone calls, letters, and school visits are the most efficient means for parents to remain in contact with school personnel regarding their child’s progress. As mentioned previously, parents are provided information concerning the social and emotional development of GATE students through the distribution of current articles to the GATE Parent Advisory Committee. If additional support becomes necessary, the SST directs the school psychologist, the school nurse, the principal, or parents to involve external agencies to bolster the intervention plan. The district maintains contact with a number of external agencies which provide help for students with special needs. For example, school nurses and community liaisons assist families with obtaining low cost dental or medical services through county assistance agencies. If Child Protective Services (CPS) are required, all school personnel have received training in identifying the symptoms of child abuse and in the appropriate steps for making CPS referrals. A district form is used to record contacts between external agencies and students during the school day. This form includes identification of the individual responsible for notifying the family of the outcome of that student contact. Improvement Goal: Social and Emotional Development The district’s five-year strategic plan includes a goal to provide adult mentors for students. While some mentors will be assigned students that perform below grade level, other mentors will be assigned to gifted children challenged with low motivation or underachievement. The community professionals to serve as mentors will be identified and assigned to selected children by August, 2010. 12
Section Five: Professional Development The district provides professional development opportunities related to gifted education to administrators, teachers, and staff to support and improve educational opportunities for gifted students. Classroom observations and annual GATE surveys form the basis for identification of professional development needs. The principals, Superintendent, and Assistant Superintendent, Instructional Services, summarize their observations and identify the greatest needs for teacher training. The GATE survey draws upon the experiences of teachers, parents, students, and administrators to develop consensus concerning the needs for further professional development. These two sources have led to the conclusion that in-service on differentiated instruction should receive high priority. As a result, Sandra Page and a team of presenters recommended by Carol Ann Tomlinson have worked with district teachers to provide information and support to differentiate instruction in core curriculum subjects. District-wide grade level meetings were organized around the same theme, differentiated instruction, to allow teachers to develop and share lesson ideas and planning process for differentiated lessons. GATE teachers attended a workshop by Barbara Clark in October. The topic of the inservice covered strategies to support differentiated instruction for gifted learners. In addition, training by Jim Cox, a noted authority on student assessment and the use of data to guide instruction, was used to help principals analyze data on student performance, disaggregating for key subgroups of students. GATE students were among these subgroups, and current success and the ongoing need to provide further challenge were validated by these results. Serving as professional growth advisors, district administrators have the opportunity to shape the training goals of recently credentialed teachers. Developing a broad repertoire of instructional strategies for teachers is the focus of this guidance, so administrators are reminded to include a balance of coursework to include meeting the needs of gifted students. Extension classes at UCSB and workshops by the California Association for the Gifted (CAG) support developing strategies which aid the progress of GATE students, such as differentiation and compacting the curriculum. The district professional development plan, a component of the Strategic Plan, allows time for individual schools to implement site-based programs. This flexibility permits training such as the video in-service on differentiated instruction developed by ASCD. District-wide, teachers are given release time to hold open-ended discussions about differentiated instruction. These grade-level meetings allow teachers with varied experiences and needs to converse with each other on instructional issues affecting them. Principals attend district professional development activities, either as facilitators or participants. Moreover, time is taken at principals’ meetings to share ideas and discuss concerns with respect to the GATE program. Following each in-service activity, participants evaluate the session. The feedback from teachers and principals guides the direction of the next workshop, as when the evaluation of grade level meetings on differentiated instruction led to the next grade level meeting’s focus on planning mathematics instruction for different groups of students. These evaluations have also permitted us to select trainers nationally recognized for their work on differentiation, such as Carol Ann Tomlinson, Sandra Page, and other consultants with the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD). Credentialed teachers are hired as consultants to provide direct instruction to GATE students in parttime groupings. These teachers are paper screened during the recruitment process to assure that each applicant has proper credentials and appropriate experience. For example, one of our most recent hires worked as a classroom teacher at a GATE magnet school in a neighboring district. The GATE 13
Section Five: Professional Development Page 2 staff meets with the Assistant Superintendent monthly to discuss program direction and the needs of GATE students. On occasion, these teachers attend training offered by CAG or the Tri-County GATE Council. The Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services coordinates the GATE program. This individual holds a doctorate in education from UCSB and has 29 years experience in education as a teacher, principal, and central office administrator. He was a part-time coordinator for the GATE program in Los Angeles Unified School District as part of his first teaching assignment, and he holds a bilingual certificate of competence in English and Spanish. The Assistant Superintendent also coordinates other categorical programs, testing and assessment, textbook selection, and professional development. In this capacity, therefore, the Assistant Superintendent is well suited to coordinate the needs of the GATE program with the district instructional program. Teacher to teacher professional development has taken place through the Peer Assistance and Review (PAR) Program. Teacher to teacher support also takes place during district-wide grade level meetings and during GATE teacher meetings to share ideas and curriculum. The involvement of teachers is essential to the implementation of strategies newly acquired through professional development. The content is reviewed at faculty meetings and a plan developed for implementation. Principals are directed to observe classrooms to review the application of the new training, and teachers meet with principals to discuss the results of these observations. In many cases, the best means of finding new ideas to boost the needs of GATE students is through attendance and review of the content of Tri-County GATE Council meetings. These meetings provide excellent opportunities for district staff to learn of promising practices in neighboring school districts. Improvement Goal: Professional Development Additional release time for collaborative planning, professional development, and opportunities for peer observation are goals that will promote teacher familiarity and effectiveness with differentiated instruction to meet the interests, readiness levels, and learning styles of gifted learners.
14
Section Six: Parent and Community Involvement The district provides procedures to ensure consistent participation of parents and community members in the planning and evaluation of programs for gifted students. Parent participation in the GATE program is actively encouraged. Each fall, parents receive letters informing them about the GATE program, whether their child has met eligibility criteria, and options for participation. Prior to initiation of the program, an informational meeting is held to provide parents with a description of the GATE program and activities for the coming year. Notices to announce these meetings come from the district office as well as through school and classroom newsletters. These meetings include information about program resources and evaluation of student work in GATE. Parents are welcomed to volunteer as helpers within the GATE classroom. Classroom teachers routinely discuss GATE activities as part of Back to School Night presentations, and the GATE program is included in the curricular program description of each school’s School Accountability Report Card. Information about the GATE program is made available through the district web site also. All district informational items are translated in English and Spanish. The GATE Parent Advisory Committee meets at regular intervals throughout the school year. Members can schedule additional meetings if necessary. Parent representatives are selected by each school to serve on the committee. Every effort is made to solicit parents reflective of the diverse GATE student population. Agendas are mailed to members and schools in advance of each meeting. At the first meeting, committee responsibilities are reviewed. In turn, these goals and responsibilities are communicated to each school community through the school newsletter. At the end of each meeting, the agenda for the next meeting is planned, and meeting notes are printed and distributed to all participants. The notes are also given to Board members and administrators and are available upon request by any community member. Opportunities for parent education are publicized at these meetings. The Tri-County GATE Council is an excellent source for training opportunities and materials for parents. Readings and reference materials provided by the Council are shared at meetings. Professional development activities for teachers are discussed, such as workshops by Sally Reis, Jim Delisle, Jann Leppein, Jim Webb, or Carol Ann Tomlinson. As part of each committee meeting, parents have time to discuss the GATE program and its interaction with district and regular classroom curriculum. Meeting results are additionally communicated to GATE teachers at their monthly meetings. The Assistant Superintendent, who is also responsible for compensatory education and programs for English Learners, coordinates GATE with other categorical programs. The district GATE Plan is a public document. The GATE Plan is developed with broad input from parents. Parents on the GATE Parent Advisory Committee review the proposed plan section by section at regularly scheduled meetings, assess its coordination with state standards, and supply suggestions for improvement and revision. The committee reviews the annual surveys of parents, teachers, principals and GATE students conducted at each site. Survey summaries are provided to each school and shared with the Board of Trustees. The information provides essential guidance to the GATE Parent Advisory Committee as it revises and develops the GATE Plan for the following school year.
15
Section Six: Parent and Community Involvement Page 2 Along with results from the annual GATE survey, the GATE Parent Advisory Committee discusses state standards for GATE implementation and addresses alignment of district program with these standards. The previous GATE application is included as part of this background informationsharing process. The California Department of Education has input as well. During the most recent Coordinated Compliance Review—in which all items were found compliant—State Consultant LaDona Hein counseled district and site administration in components that could further advance the goals of the GATE program. The draft plan is available for public inspection and discussion when it is transmitted to the Board of Trustees for review and approval. A parent representative is asked to co-sign the approved application as evidence of involvement. A summary description of the plan is part of the mailings provided to parents each fall, and copies of the plan are provided to parents on the GATE Parent Advisory Council to assure broad dissemination of plan contents. Community participation in GATE also is encouraged through the display of student work at schools and other public meeting areas. In particular, parents on the District GATE Advisory Committee were instrumental in creating the annual GATE Student Work Exposition. This district-wide event features one sample of each GATE student’s work at an evening display attended by GATE teachers, students, and parents. Students, parents, and community members also visit such events as the Invention Fair, the Student Author Fair, or the Goleta Student Art Fair. These are primary venues to exhibit the schoolwork of GATE students along with that of other children in the district. Studentmade aircraft, as another example, are flown at the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport’s Education Center, allowing career aviators to review student work and measure the outcomes. Other more routine displays can be found on school and classroom bulletin boards and school web sites. The effectiveness of these efforts finds evidence among the several partnerships that exist between the GATE program and community organizations. Mentioned previously in this application are the partnerships with the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, the Experimental Aircraft Association, and UCSB. Opera Santa Barbara also is a partner, providing instruction to Grade 6 students at participating schools. Professional opera singers instruct the students in opera history and appreciation. The culminating activity is an operatic performance that the sixth graders present to younger students. The program is highlighted with a district-wide invitation for Grade 6 students to attend the opera’s dress rehearsal without cost. Other partnerships include the Community Environmental Council and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. The Poet-in-Residence program is another example of the use of expert speakers or artists to work directly to inspire and motivate the talents of gifted students. Business and community support is actively solicited; the district is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent participate in their meetings and events. Improvement Goal: Parent and Community Involvement Further collaboration is needed to offer professional development opportunities for parents related to gifted education. Currently, the Tri-County GATE Council provides parent workshops. Parents are informed of these workshops through newsletters and meetings. Workshop locations, however, are generally in Ventura County and lightly attended by our parents.
16
Section Six: Parent and Community Involvement Page 3 Improvement Goal: Parent and Community Involvement (continued) Through work with Tri-County GATE and neighboring school districts our goal is to provide local workshops on issues related to GATE parenting. These efforts will initiate during the 2008-2009 school year. The collaborative effort among districts will be undertaken to implement local parent workshops during the 2009-2010 school year.
17
Section Seven: Program Assessment The district establishes formal and informal evaluation methods, and instruments that assess the gifted program and the performance of gifted students (which meets or exceeds state content standards). Results of data collected, including state standardized tests, are used to study the value and impact of the services provided and to improve gifted programs and gifted student performance. Proposed Program Assessment Several major objectives of the GATE program are the targets of program assessment. A list of these components and the proposed assessment methods follow: Objective One: Multiple achievement data document that GATE students perform at the high levels of which they are capable. Assessment Methods: Standardized test results and classroom assessment provide the core of student achievement data. Student performance on the STAR test gives standardized scores that are disaggregated by school, grade level, and student subgroup. GATE students and GATE English Learners form two of these subgroups. Test scores for these subgroups are analyzed over three-year periods to determine that 95 percent or more of these children score within the top quartiles of student achievement in reading, language, and math. Children not meeting this standard are identified and their progress is reviewed by classroom teachers and GATE teachers. In general, a high level of success is met in attaining this standard. Classroom assessment plays a central role in monitoring GATE progress. Students are evaluated using standards-based report cards, linking district curriculum to challenging state standards. GATE student performance is reviewed at the site level to determine whether GATE students are meeting or exceeding grade level standards. The percentages of goal attainment are calculated by the principal for each grade level and summarized at the district level for analysis of district-wide achievement trends. The final report is a public document that is transmitted to the Board of Trustees for review. Finally, rubrics are used for instruction and evaluation. Rubrics are a component of our stateadopted mathematics and language arts curriculum. District teachers develop rubrics also, as with the writing rubrics employed to communicate writing expectations and to evaluate GATE student performance. Many other student work products are evaluated to determine student progress. Classroom tests, textbook exams, and written research reports constitute the traditional modes of assessment. Oral reports, group projects, and classroom observations provide additional assessment opportunities. Student work portfolios of exemplary work are compiled, and children share these outcomes with their parents during student-led conferences. Students also self-evaluate through the steps of the Writing Process, starting from first draft, revision, and publication of the final product. Student learning logs and response journals are commonly used during science, language arts, and mathematics. State-approved textbooks in mathematics and language contain interdisciplinary lesson links, a potential source of enrichment for GATE students. Generally, GATE students are expected to meet and exceed grade level standards. English Learners and students with special needs are expected to meet individual goals for English Language Development (ELD) as defined in district benchmarks for ELD or within Individual Education Plans (IEP) developed by the IEP team. GATE teachers discuss grading rubrics and evaluation methods at monthly meetings to define even more clearly the expectations for GATE students. On district report 18
Section Seven: Program Assessment Page 2 Objective One—Assessment Methods (continued) cards, GATE students frequently exceed standards, and their performance on standardized tests is expected to be in the top quartile or within the performance range of proficient or advanced. In each case, district and state standards are the basis for evaluating the relative success of GATE students. Classroom teacher and principal discuss individual goals for each GATE student during goal-setting conferences each fall. Objective Two: Instruction is appropriately differentiated to meet learner needs. Assessment Methods: Attainment of this objective is assessed in several ways. Direct observation of classroom instruction allows principals and district office administrators to verify that lesson plans, curriculum, and teaching methods reflect the range of student learning needs. Program evaluation by teachers, parents, and GATE students also provides a window for assessing the degree to which differentiated instruction is employed to meet the needs and interests of GATE students. Finally, teachers are asked to assess the attainment of district standards in language arts and math for all students and disaggregated subgroups of students. GATE students are one of the disaggregated totals, allowing assessment of student outcomes as a measure of effective instructional practice. Objective Three: That adequate time is allocated for instruction and completion of student work. Assessment Methods: This target is assessed through careful review of parent and student responses to questions pertaining to the amount of time that students take to complete GATE assignments. Students are asked whether they complete assignments in the regular classroom or at home. Parents comment upon where teachers are permitted to provide GATE instruction. Finally, teachers will report their perspective on the time taken for GATE activities and the impact of part-time groupings on the classroom program. The intent of these assessments is to determine whether adequate curriculum compacting is taking place and whether GATE students have access to library services and computer lab to support the enriched and advanced lessons they receive through GATE. Objective Four: Identification and Screening of GATE students assures that qualified students are identified, reflecting the diversity of the student population with respect to special needs, racial or ethnic background, or home language. Assessment Methods: Annual monitor and review of the demographic composition of the GATE population to determine if balanced student representation has been maintained.
19
Section Seven: Program Assessment Page 3 Objective Five: That adequate physical space is available at each school to support instruction of GATE students. Assessment Methods: Annual survey of GATE program effectiveness among principals provides the best method to determine if adequate housing and resource access is being provided to the GATE program. The result of these extensive program assessments are reported to the Board of Trustees. In the spring, classroom assessment summaries are provided. In the fall, norm-referenced test results and California Standards Test scores are discussed at Board meetings. Finally, an analysis of district Academic Performance Index scores are shared once they become available in the winter. As required by law, API results are an agenda item at a Board meeting, also. District personnel hold several qualifications to prepare them to manage and evaluate assessment data concerning GATE student achievement. The Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services completed a quantitative study to fulfill requirements for his Ph.D. program. The Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services provides expertise in the creation and use of the district database to analyze statistical information. In addition, the Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services and a principal attended a yearlong data institute led by Jim Cox, a recognized expert in student assessment. These assessment strategies were shared with the other members of the management team. The purpose of the assessment program is to target areas for further growth and to sustain practice proven to be effective. The outcomes are analyzed to explore programmatic options for each year’s GATE program and frequently are included in the Special Needs sections of the Single School Plan. At the district level, the Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services conducts analysis of student achievement. This evaluation is ongoing, with a focus upon the growth of grade level cohorts of students over three-year time frames, or by analyzing matched student scores of individual children over time to assure that individual children exhibit positive academic gains. The assistant superintendent is responsible for monitoring the variety of evaluative sources that demonstrate program strengths and directions for future progress. These sources include standardized tests, classroom observations, classroom assessment, survey results, meeting notes, and first-hand accounts. Assessment provides the foundation for each year’s GATE implementation.
20
Section Eight: Budget District budgets for gifted programs support and provide for all of the components of the district’s GATE program and meet the related standards. The district GATE budget is allocated to address the essential components of the GATE Plan. The projected GATE budget for the 2008-2009 school year allocates funds for the following purposes: • Teacher Salaries Funds in this category pay the cost of the certificated personnel who work with GATE students during part-time groupings and to coordinate and communicate program goals with teachers and parents. The 2008-2009 allocation is increased to enable GATE instructors to increase instructional time for part-time groupings. With additional time, GATE teachers will be able to offer greater depth and complexity in their lessons. This category also provides release time funds to permit opportunities for classroom teachers to meet with GATE teachers for instructional program coordination between the regular classroom and part-time GATE setting. In addition, release time may be used to permit conference or workshop attendance when funding is available. • Services and Other Operating Expenditures These funds are used to pay the registration fee to attend conferences or workshops. This year, GATE teachers attended a Tri-County GATE Council in-service presented by Barbara Clark, and a workshop was provided to all certificated staff on differentiated instruction by special education staff. Additional funding is set aside for professional development in 2008-2009. A higher funding level is requested for greater participation in professional development in 2008-2009. • Books and Supplies The supply budget is used to permit GATE teachers to purchase supplemental supplies and materials for hands-on learning projects that may not be available within the site’s supply allocation. Increased funding is requested in 2008-2009 to allow GATE teachers to purchase additional materials to support GATE instruction. In addition, this funding category covers the cost of assessing student ability with the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test. This test is one of the criteria used for GATE identification. The GATE budget supplements the district’s base program for all students. Textbooks, basic materials, field trips, and equipment are purchased from the district’s general fund budget. The Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services coordinates the program; however, this position is not funded through GATE. A combination of general fund money and categorical funding from other programs is used to fund this position and the support staff which works with the Assistant Superintendent. Carryover funds are minimal, and when they exist, they are maintained within the GATE budget. Indirect costs are not subtracted from the district GATE budget. GATE students receive benefit of fiscal collaboration with other categorical programs to assure that they receive the instructional support to which they are entitled. For example, a GATE student also could participate in programs funded by the School Improvement Program, Title III funds, or Special Education budget. The collaboration of funding provides opportunities for joint professional development activities with other programs, as took place last fall with the district inservice on differentiated instruction and grade level meetings during the year. 21
Appendix I: 2008-2009 GATE Program Evaluation Program Assessment Program assessment results are reported in three ways: ❶ Annual GATE Survey Results Summary ❷ California Standards Test Scores for GATE Students ❸ Demographic Composition of GATE Students GATE Survey Summary A survey to evaluate the GATE program is conducted at the end of each school year. Survey participants include principals, teachers, GATE parents, and GATE students. About one-third of parents and students returned completed surveys. Approximately one-half of teachers and principals returned surveys. Results were shared and discussed with members of the District GATE Advisory Committee and GATE staff. Here is a summary of the most important findings from this year’s program evaluation. Findings Communication between GATE staff and parents could be improved. Seventy-seven percent of parents report regular written communication regarding the GATE program; about half of parents report a personal contact from their child’s GATE instructor. These numbers reflect a decline from the prior year. Written Information Received On Regular Basis? 2003 74%
2004 66%
2005 62%
2006 83%
Parent Contact With GATE Teacher Via Phone Call, Personal E-Mail, or Parent-Teacher Conference? 2005 71% Fewer parents reported that the GATE program was worthwhile for their child in 2006-2007. Nonetheless, the percentage of parents who respond affirmatively to this question has increased approximately 21% since 2001. Is The GATE Program Worthwhile for My Child? 2002 56%
2003 76%
2004 76%
2005 80%
2006 88%
Students continue to enjoy participation in GATE. Ninety percent of GATE students stated that they wished to continue GATE participation next year. While a small percentage was uncertain, only five percent state that they would choose to discontinue participation next year. These figures show a consistently high level of student interest over the past five years. Yes, I Would Like to Continue in the GATE program in 2007-2008. 2003 88%
2004 80%
2005 96%
2006 89%
22
Appendix I: 2008-2009 GATE Program Evaluation
Page 2
Teachers and principals express an increased interest in meeting the needs of GATE students within the regular education classroom. While staff is generally satisfied with the program, there is growing concern for the effects of a pullout program on classroom schedules and the self-concept of students ineligible for GATE. The majority of students complete GATE projects at home. Nonetheless, about 45% of GATE students complete projects at school. The numbers illustrate the need for ongoing dialog regarding the role and type of homework assigned, whether from the homeroom or the GATE classroom. The purpose is to balance academic reinforcement and self-discipline without placing excessive pressure on students to complete assigned tasks. GATE students consistently score well on the standardized exams administered by the state. GATE students score at the Proficient or the Advanced levels on the California Standards Test in EnglishLanguage Arts and Mathematics. These results are expected in a program that identifies children based upon academic achievement. California Standards Test Percentage of GATE Students Scoring Proficient or Advanced English-Language Arts and Mathematics 2003-2007 English-Language Arts Grade 4 Grade 5 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
96% 97% 95% 98% 98%
96% 94% 94% 94% 97%
Mathematics Grade 4 Grade 5 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
96% 93% 93% 100% 100%
94% 87% 92% 98% 96%
Grade 6 97% 96% 91% 92% 94%
Grade 6 96% 94% 94% 90% 95%
As GATE students transition to junior high school, the percentages of GATE students that score Proficient or Advanced increases even further, especially in English-Language Arts.
23
Appendix I: 2008-2009 GATE Program Evaluation
Page 3
Demographic Composition of GATE Students. The demographic composition of GATE students shows that while percentages have increased, some student subgroups continue to be underrepresented. Demographic Composition—GATE Students 2007-2008 Subgroup Category Number Percentage of Total White 290 62% Latino 88 19% Asian 69 15% African-American 5 1% American Indian 5 1% Other 5 1% Low-Income 60 13% Overall, survey results suggest that GATE students, parents, and district staff still hold a favorable view of GATE. Nonetheless, room for improvement continues. Areas for possible improvement include differentiated instruction to address GATE needs in the regular education classroom, increased schoolhome communication, and further dialog regarding the purpose of GATE. It should be noted that these conclusions are tentative based upon the light numbers of parent surveys returned. While such improvements are considered, the GATE Certificated Tutors and classroom teachers are to be acknowledged for gaining optimal achievement results within the challenges posed by time and funding.
Procedures for Modifying the District GATE Program Based on the Annual Review • Program Design Strengths: Current design allows for site flexibility between part-time small group instruction and regular classroom differentiated instruction for gifted learners. Program Needs: Improved collaboration between classroom teacher and GATE teacher to coordinate enrichment and acceleration for GATE students in alignment with classroom curriculum. Greater administrative review will assure optimum levels of program quality. Program Improvement Goal: Provide additional time for GATE teachers to collaborate with classroom teachers. Added time to coordinate program goals will assure that GATE students have an integrated learning experience, and avoid fragmentation between classroom instruction and GATE activities. Discussion with the Board of Trustees is needed to determine whether funds can be made available to compensate GATE teachers for increased collaborative time with teachers and principals. • Identification Strengths: Current identification criteria offer paths to GATE identification for high-achieving students while also containing provision for underrepresented students to be identified through alternative criteria. Program Needs: A greater representation of under-served student subgroups needs to be achieved in GATE eligibility. English Learners and students from low-income families are the two subgroups particularly in need of improved identification. 24
Appendix I: 2008-2009 GATE Program Evaluation
Page 4
Program Improvement Goal: Increased minority representation in GATE through ongoing discussion among principals and teachers. The district’s database can be used to identify children who show academic promise either through emerging English-Language proficiency or individual standardized achievement scores. Principals, teachers, and parents will work together to identify children eligible for alternative referral procedures. To accomplish this goal, we will: ➀ Share demographic data with principals and teachers regarding current GATE students. ➁ Encourage use of the district database to identify English Learners that demonstrate rapid English language acquisition through the California English Language Development Test (CELDT). ➂ Review GATE eligibility criteria and alternative eligibility criteria with principals each fall. ➃ Maintain after school tutorials and summer school as intervention programs to promote motivation and achievement among underperforming student subgroups. These ongoing measures aim to support improved achievement and increase awareness of GATE criteria to further expand identification of underrepresented student subgroups. As a secondary goal, the district program could be strengthened through expansion of services to include students gifted in visual and performing arts and students with creative ability. To move in this direction, the district will need to develop: ➀ Criteria for identification of students artistically or creatively gifted. ➁ Budget allocations to support personnel and materials to provide a new range of services. ➂ A sequenced structure of learning experiences for gifted students based upon state standards for visual and performing arts. This goal will be explored at District GATE Advisory Committee meetings and with principals during the 2008-2009 school year. If funds prove sufficient to support this initiative, curriculum will be developed in consultation with principals, teachers, and GATE Advisory Committee. Once curriculum is established, identification criteria used in other districts for creative and artistic students will be adapted for our district. Budget, curriculum, and identification criteria can be developed within a two-year timeline. These three objectives can be achieved to permit program implementation in the 2010-2011 school year. • Curriculum and Instruction Strengths: The GATE curriculum is flexible to allow sites to elaborate their program to match school program needs. Differentiated instruction is increasingly used within the regular education classroom to meet the needs for enrichment and acceleration for GATE students. Program Needs: More time is needed to implement the GATE program effectively. Increased time could benefit collaborative planning, professional development, and instruction. In addition, more supplemental instructional materials could benefit the GATE program. Program Improvement Goal: An increase in general fund support for GATE would enable the district to meet needs for collaboration, staff training, materials, and instruction. The goal is therefore to explore the possibility of an increased general fund contribution to GATE. The current district contribution is about $13,000. It will be requested to add $30,000 from the general fund to this amount.
25
Appendix I: 2008-2009 GATE Program Evaluation
Page 5
• Social and Emotional Development Strengths: Current student support services offer gifted students an array of counseling and health programs. Program Needs: Community support services, provided in the form of a mentor program, could provide specialized support to GATE students that surpasses what can be offered within the regular classroom. Program Improvement Goal: The district’s five-year strategic plan includes a goal to provide adult mentors for students. While some mentors will be assigned students that perform below grade level, other mentors will be assigned to gifted children challenged with low motivation or underachievement. The community professionals to serve as mentors will be identified and assigned to selected children by August, 2010. • Professional Development Strengths: An ongoing district-funded professional development program helps every teacher develop techniques to implement differentiated instruction. This in-service enables our teachers to appropriately differentiate for the readiness levels, interests, and learning styles of GATE students. Program Needs: Teachers report a continuing need to reinforce their skills in the use of assessment, lesson planning, and collaboration to support one another with differentiated instruction. Additionally, teachers report that help with differentiation and English Learners would also be beneficial. Program Improvement Goal: Ongoing support for differentiated instruction is a goal for GATE instruction as well as the district’s five-year strategic plan. To achieve this goal, here is the plan to support teachers and increase familiarity with this instructional strategy: ➀ In August, 2008, provide all teachers with additional in-service regarding differentiated instruction. With the help of trainers from the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and associates of Carol Ann Tomlinson, workshops will focus on: • Differentiated Instruction for English Learners • Differentiated Instruction and Assessment • Differentiated Instruction and Know, Understand, and Be Able to Do • Differentiated Instruction and Professional Learning Communities ➁ Four district-wide Grade-Level Meetings will be held during the school year to permit teachers to share ideas and support one another to improve differentiated instruction. ➂ Follow-up classroom support will be provided for teachers to conduct peer observations and to discuss student progress and instructional strategies through monthly planned release time meetings. The district’s Peer Assistance and Review Program has been negotiated with the teachers’ association to incorporate release time for teachers to observe consulting teachers as they teach lessons with differentiated instructional strategies. In addition, substitute release time has been arranged for teachers at each grade level at each school to meet monthly to share assessment data and design differentiated strategies to support student learning. Peer observation and release time are two tactics intended to benefit all students. The special needs of gifted learners will be addressed through these follow-up classroom support activities. They will be implemented during the 2008-2009 school year because they are features of the district’s Peer Assistance and Review Agreement and the five-year strategic plan. 26
Appendix I: 2008-2009 GATE Program Evaluation
Page 6
• Parent and Community Involvement Strengths: Parents and community members are engaged with GATE advisory and planning process through our District GATE Advisory Committee and annual GATE surveys. Program Needs: Further collaboration is needed to offer professional development opportunities for parents related to gifted education. Currently, the Tri-County GATE Council provides parent workshops. Parents are informed of these workshops through newsletters and meetings. Workshop locations, however, are generally in Ventura County and lightly attended by our parents. Program Improvement Goal: Through work with Tri-County GATE and neighboring school districts, our goal is to provide local workshops on issues related to GATE parenting. To accomplish this goal, two objectives are proposed: ➀ Ongoing consultation with Tri-County GATE to determine whether some workshops for parents could be offered in the Santa Barbara area. ➁ Santa Barbara, Hope, Cold Spring, Montecito, and Carpinteria School Districts will be contacted to assess interest in GATE related parent workshops arranged through a multidistrict collaboration. These efforts will initiate during the 2008-2009 school year. The collaborative effort among districts will be undertaken to implement local parent workshops during the 2009-2010 school year. • Program Assessment Strengths: Parent, students, teachers, and principals are surveyed annually to assess the GATE program. Program Needs: An online survey for students and parents would facilitate response rate and tabulation of data once received. Program Improvement Goal: Results from the survey will continue to be presented annually to District GATE Advisory Council, principals, GATE teachers, and the Board of Trustees. • Budget Strengths: Current budget provides three curriculum-based instructional units to enrich and accelerate the classroom curriculum in English-Language Arts, Mathematics and Science, and Social Studies. The GATE allocation also provide some time for planning and coordination, professional development, and purchase of supplemental materials. Program Needs: Increased time for GATE planning and coordination, professional development, and GATE instruction. Additional funds for supplemental materials would also augment the GATE program. The request for additional GATE funds will be discussed with the Board of Trustees.
27
